Ford Mustang vs BMW Series 4: Which is better to buy?

For the customer looking for a coupe with a certain class and a good level of performance, until recently the offer was almost exclusively of German premium models and some Japanese, but for a few years there is also an American option, and very authentic

We are talking about the Ford Mustang, officially available since 2015 in Ford dealerships throughout and recently updated. Today we are going to compare it with one of the Germans par excellence, the BMW 4 Series Coupe, to discover what each one offers and what are the main differences between both models.

In this segment, and in a price range of between 40,000 and 60,000 dollars (exceeding certain versions this strip), there are options as interesting as the Audi A5 Coupe, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé, the Infiniti Q60 Coupé, the Lexus RC Coupe or even the Jaguar F-Type, the latter if we are willing to make a slightly higher outlay.

Even so, today we are going to focus on the two models already mentioned, Ford Mustang and BMW 4 Series Coupé. Germany against the United States. Different philosophies, designs of different cuts, very different ranges of engines, etc …

Exterior design and dimensions

Both models have a coupé body, two-door, but while the German offers a generous battle, is more compact in dimensions than the American. In fact, the Ford Mustang is 14 centimeters longer than the Series 4, and also 10 centimeters wider.

At the design level, they are very different proposals. The German sports the classic double kidney grille of the house, while the Mustang has a larger grille, presided over by the horse, and more stylized headlights. As is logical, this point is something completely subjective, and each client will prefer one design or another. A matter of taste.

The American has a more bulky appearance (obviously is larger in dimensions) and also a little more square, especially in the rear. Both carry on their shoulders the tradition of their respective brands, being the Ford Mustang the most iconic and the one that has more history, since the original model was born in 1964.

LENGTH

BATTLE

WIDTH

HEIGHT

BMW SERIES 4

4.638 mm

2.810 mm

1.825 mm

1.377 mm

FORD MUSTANG

4.784 mm

2.720 mm

1.916 mm

1.381 mm

Engine ranges and prices

Regarding engines and range, there are big differences. We know that Germans often offer multiple versions of their models, and in this case it is no different. For its part, the Mustang has two unique options, four or eight cylinders. And of course of turbo diésel blocks we do not even talk about the Detroit offer, because there are not any.

So, while the Series 4 has six different versions, three gasoline and three diesel, and not to mention the sportiest BMW M4, the Mustang is satisfied with an Ecoboost engine and a spectacular V8. Let’s see it in detail in the following table.

MODEL + VERSION

MOTOR

POWER

MEDIUM CONSUMPTION

PRICE

FORD MUSTANG

2.3 liters Ecoboost

290 CV

9 l / 100 km (manual)

41,300 dollars

FORD MUSTANG GT

5.0 liters V8

450 CV

12.1 l / 100 km (manual)

49,300 dollars

BMW 420I

2.0 liters

184 CV

6.5 l / 100 km (manual)

42,200 dollars

BMW 430I

2.0 liters

252 HP

6.0 l / 100 km

50,150 dollars

BMW 440I

3.0 liters

326 HP

7.3 l / 100 km

61,100 dollars

BMW 420D

2.0 liters turbodiesel

190 HP

4.8 l / 100 km (manual)

46,200 dollars

BMW 430D

3.0 liters turbodiesel

258 HP

5.3 l / 100 km

55,100 dollars

BMW 435D XDRIVE

3.0 liters turbodiesel

313 CV

6.1 l / 100 km

62,466 dollars

Both models have manual and automatic changes, although BMW only offers the manual box in the variants of access to the range. For its part, the BMW 4 Series Coupé is the only one of the two that offers versions of all- wheel drive or xDrive, available for virtually all engines: 430i, 440i, 420d, 430d and 435d (in the latter as standard, without option propulsion).

The American takes the cake in terms of acceleration, since the variant with block V8, specifically the automatic Mustang GT, accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.3 seconds, figure four tenths lower than the fastest version of the 4 Series (430d xDrive). The BMW M4 Manual Coupé accelerates at the same time (4.3 seconds), but plays in another league as it costs 45.00 dollars more than the manual Mustang GT.

Habits, face to face

It has always been said that American cars do not stand out precisely because of the quality of their materials and finishes in the passenger compartment, but the truth is that the new generation of the Ford Mustang has been quite updated in this section, with a more interesting proposal than before, that earns points both for appearance and for general quality.

It is true that the interior is not as good as the BMW 4 Series Coupé, which although sober and elegant has a rather more premium appearance and a much better quality materials. Still, the Mustang has a cabin in which it is pleasant to spend time and that does not stand out for any negative aspect, except for some plastic of dubious quality.

The difference in this sense is remarkable, especially in the buttons of the steering wheel or in the different controls of the center console, which are much higher in the Series 4, both by appearance of the materials and by touch, as they are much more pleasant (less “plastics”).

On the other hand, while the BMW 4 Series Coupé is a true four-seater, as there is enough space for two adults to comfortably travel in the rear seats, the Ford Mustang is rather a 2 + 2, because the rear seats they are sparse and offer very little legroom. They are more for a rush or for children than for two adults to comfortably travel.

Finally, it should be noted that the trunk of the Mustang offers a cargo volume of 408 liters (332 liters in the case of the convertible), somewhat lower than the BMW 4 Series, which has 445 liters (370 for the Cabrio) and, moreover, It has somewhat more usable shapes, since the loading surface is wider and the loading mouth is not as narrow as in the Mustang. In this aspect the German is superior.

Technological offer and equipment

Both the German and the American have in their offer a digital instrument panel in option that allows to change the modes of visualization and configure to taste the design with which the information is shown to the driver. In the Mustang the display is 12 inches, while in the Series 4 it has a size of 10.25 inches (461 dollars).

The Series 4 has a more panoramic screen format (the largest is 8.8 inches, with the Professional Browser) and also higher in the console, which does not require you to look too far away from the road, while the Mustang screen (8-inch touch screen with Ford SYNC 3 series) is located below and does that we have to lower the view more than desired.

As is logical, the offer of options in the BMW is very wide, with options as interesting as the Head-Up Display, the wireless recharge by induction for smartphones, a WLAN hotspot or compatibility with Apple Car Play. BMW Connected online services are standard, yes.

Our final conclusion

In short, the BMW 4 Series Coupé is a more premium product than the Ford Mustang, and its range offers many more possibilities in terms of engine (in addition to much lower consumption), a greater choice of optional and also two fully usable rear seats, next to a slightly bigger trunk and something more usable.

For its part, the Ford Mustang has a special aura, due to the tradition of more than five decades that it has behind it. Its design is very characteristic, bulky but robust and aggressive and, in addition, it has something that the German cannot compete with: an atmospheric V8 engine that is in danger of extinction, greater benefits (with the exception of the M4 which costs almost double) and also at a price that makes it the most accessible market.

At the end it is about tastes and predilections of each one, but if you are looking for a car to do thousands of kilometers a year, one of the versions of the Series 4 can be the ideal option. On the contrary, if you want a more special coupe, with that extra of prestige that a V8 engine provides, the Mustang is without a doubt your ideal purchase. And if yours is to circulate in the open sky, both offer convertible versions.